What should I do now?

[saragalpin]

I have managed to trace my family to an Inkerman Hawes Gilpin, born Dec 1855. I have his birth certificate which states only that his mothers name is Sarah Gilpin, no father name, the birth district is Stepney. I cannot find him at all on any census pre 1881 where i found him as James Galpin, living as a boarder with his soon to be wife's family. It states on his marriage certificate that his middle names are Inkerman Hawes and that his surname is also known as Gilpin. I am not sure how to go about tracking down his mother as I have no other details for her and she does not seem to be on any census either. Does anyone have any helpful hints as to what i could do next?
Thanks.

 

[juliejtp]

Hi Sara,


You would think with a name like that he would be easy to find. Have you thought that Sarah may have married and he has his stepfathers surname, though I did look through the partial bmd index on Ancestry, couldnt find anything. What about the witnessess on his marriage cert they could hold a clue esp is they are relatives.

 

[saragalpin]

The witness on the marriage certificate is his sister-in-law.
Not sure how I will know if his mother got re-married as I cant find him anywhere.

 

[juliejtp]

Hi Sarah,

Try the local history and archives library at Bancroft Road, E1. They may have some records that may help you or point you in the right direction.

Local History and Archives Library
277 Bancroft Road
London El 4DQ

Local History: 020 7364 1290
Archives: 020 7364 1289
Fax: 020 7364 1292
E-mail: localhistory@towerhamlets.gov.uk

Open: Tue, Thu 9-8, Fri 9-6, Sat 9-5

Books avaliable to buy from the local history archive section

 

[familyman]

looking at your posting i noticed your from rainham,do you know any gevaux links in that area?